NCIS: Los Angeles boasted a stellar cast, featuring major stars and actors who became fan favorites thanks to the show. Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J already had substantial fanbases, while Daniela Ruah and Renée Felice Smith rose to fame through the series. Eric Christian Olsen found himself between these two levels of recognition. Now, with the procedural drama ended, Olsen has announced his next venture, which might surprise his fans.
Eric Christian Olsen’s Next Move
Eric Christian Olsen was already a movie star before joining NCIS: Los Angeles, with roles in Pearl Harbor and Not Another Teen Movie. His breakout came when he played Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, taking on the role originally played by Jim Carrey.
Joining NCIS: Los Angeles as Marty Deeks seven years later showcased his ability to take on more substantial roles. He quickly became a fan favorite and remained with the show from 2010 to 2023. With CBS canceling the series, LL Cool J moved on to NCIS: Hawai’i for one season, and the rest of the cast began seeking new opportunities. Now, Olsen has found his next television project, but it’s not what fans might have expected. He is the new executive producer for the Matlock reboot.
“I’ve had so many experiences working for CBS for 13 years, and I did think that this was an incredible opportunity and platform to find stories that I was really passionate about and then help build them from the ground up,” Olsen said at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour (via CinemaBlend).
Olsen aims to contribute to quality television after years of being offered roles of “terrible lawyers.” He hasn’t completely retired from acting, hinting, “I think there’s an opportunity for a big villain role sometime in the future.”
What Is Matlock About?
Transitioning from NCIS: Los Angeles to Matlock means moving from one franchise to another. While NCIS was a hugely popular show with successful spinoffs, Matlock was also a hit, running from 1986 to 1995.
The original series starred Andy Griffith as a folksy attorney who solved tough cases while maintaining a law-abiding and upstanding manner. It ran for nine seasons and 193 episodes. The new version is a reboot starring Kathy Bates as Madeline Matlock. This reboot exists in the same universe as the original series, with Bates’ character sharing the same surname as Ben Matlock. In the new show, she returns to a prestigious law firm and uses her intelligence to win cases and expose corruption.
Are you excited to see what Eric Christian Olsen does next? Does the new Matlock series sound interesting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
